Police Officer Linked to Sex Trafficking Operation Fired

Published Mar 10, 2016 at 5:21 AM

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A Waterbury Police officer was fired after an investigation found he was linked to a sex trafficking operation, police said.

Former Officer Jermaine Dunbar, an eight year veteran of the patrol division, broke several department policies including improper associations, truthfulness, conduct unbecoming to an officer, neglect of duty and insubordination. He was fired last Friday.

On April 13, 2015, the Waterbury Police Department got information about an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Watertown Police Department that was initiated from a complaint from the Department of Children and Families, Waterbury Police said.

The Watertown Police investigation led to two suspects being arrested for various charges including narcotics, illegal weapons possession, promoting prostitution and human trafficking.

NBC Connecticut news learned that one of the suspects is Dunbar's family member and another is a friend. Investigators believe Dunbar was at the Watertown home where two 16-year-old girls were given drugs and having sex with men. One girl said she had sex with Dunbar but police said he denies this claim.

This investigation and arrest led police to question Dunbar's off-duty conduct, according to Waterbury Police. While the former officer was not criminally charged, he was placed on administrative leave during an internal affairs investigation.

After 11 months, the investigation found Dunbar had conducted himself in way that "negatively" reflects the department and is "inappropriate conduct for any law enforcement officer," according to Waterbury Police.